Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

The creator of goodmorninggloucester.org Lover of all things Gloucester and Cape Ann. GMG where we bring you the very best our town has to offer because we love to share all the great news and believe that by promoting others in our community everyone wins.

Community Stuff 1/28/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
Seeking Gloucester Writers of Portuguese Descent

Dear Joey,
I’m a writer originally from Provincetown, MA, and I work for a nonprofit literary program that brings American writers to Portugal every summer. Through a partnership with the Luso-American Development Foundation, we have been able to give scholarships for up to 4 writers of Portuguese-American or Lusophone-country descent to attend the program with all expenses paid. We’re going into our third year now, and as of yet we’ve had no applicants from the Portuguese community of Gloucester, which I think is unfortunate, as I have always heard so much about that community. Would you be willing to post a short note about our upcoming scholarship deadline on your great blog to see if we could reach any Gloucester applicants? (We also have a contest open to writers of all backgrounds, both are described below.) 

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Here is the basic info:
Call for entries! Submissions are due by January 31, 2013, for the Dzanc Books/Guernica Magazine International Literature Award and Luso-American Scholarships to DISQUIET, a two-week international cultural and writing program taking place in Lisbon, Portugal from June 30 to July 12, 2013. The Dzanc Books/CNC DISQUIET International Literary Program offers workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as literary and cultural events including readings from North American and Portuguese writers.The Dzanc Books/Guernica International Literature Award is for poetry, fiction, or nonfiction by a North American writer that addresses themes or settings beyond the U.S. and Canada. The recipient will receive a full scholarship to DISQUIET 2013 as well as publication of the winning entry in Guernica. In addition, North American writers of Luso descent—whether Portuguese, Brazilian, Cape Verdean, or from another Lusophone country—are also encouraged to submit for the Luso-American Scholarship Contest. To be eligible for this scholarship, entrants must be residents of the United States or Canada who have a genealogical link to a Lusophone country. The four winners will receive airfare, accommodations, and full tuition to the 2013 ILP in Lisbon to attend Portuguese-American novelist Katherine Vaz’s multi-genre workshop "Writing the Luso Experience" with other writers from Portugal and North America. Runners-up will be offered partial tuition scholarships. This contest is a collaboration between Dzanc Books (a 501(c)3 nonprofit) and the Luso-American Development Foundation. There is a $20 reading fee. Visit http://disquietinternational.org/contest-scholarships/contestscholarships for complete details and guidelines, or contact disquietinternational@gmail.com with any questions.

Thank you, Oona Patrick

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Feb. 2nd artist talk 4pm At Flatrocks Gallery

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Gloucester Stroke Club

Gloucester Stroke Club meeting on February 7th at 7 pm.,  Logan Room, Addison Gilbert Hospital, 298 Washington St. Gloucester MA. Our favorite guest, Joe Gross, PTA will join us for an informal discussion, sharing of information and support. Please note change of time and location.  Logan Room, front door, upstairs door on left. Or use back entrance and elevator for easier accessibility.
New member, caretakers, family and friends are welcome to attend. No pre-registration necessary.
Refreshments. For more information call Cynthia 978-283-2633 or Virginia 978-283-3968.

Snowy Owl Photo Taken In Morning- Dead By Afternoon

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Christine Morey submits-

Good afternoon Joey –

I took this photo yesterday in Rockport – Magnificent creature!

By this morning, he had died in the same place – just tragic! 

The Animal Control Officer who came to collect him said often owls ingest rodents that have

been poisoned – please ask your readers to re-think using poison-

Thank you!

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Shooting Windows from Len Burgess

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Getting a lot of different ice crystal formations on my old windows with this frigid weather. –LB

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Only Nature Could Produce Something This Beautiful.

The Iron Lady, and US Battleships From Fred Bodin

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Fred writes-

I recently watched the movie "Iron Lady" on DVD, starring Merrill Streep. It’s about Prime Minister Margaret Thacher of Great Britain. I love the the overall history, but particularly in this film, her retaking of the Falkland Islands from Argentina. I watched the war segment, mostly news clips, three times. The short war confirmed the strategy of using warships versus the devastating power of aircraft with the latest (in 1982) missile technology. An amazing fact, that I learned a decade ago, is when the last US Navy battleship was built. Do you know?

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Battleship USS Alabama, Rockport, circa 1900. As technology changes, so does that of naval and air warfare. No wonder many innovations we use every day are developed by the military.

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Battleship USS Missouri

USS Missouri (BB-63) was ordered in 1940 and commissioned in June 1944. In the Pacific Theater of World War II she fought in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and shelled the Japanese home islands, and she fought in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. She was decommissioned in 1955 into the United States Navy reserve fleets (the "Mothball Fleet"), but reactivated and modernized in 1984 as part of the 600-ship Navy plan, and provided fire support during Operation Desert Storm in January/February 1991.
Missouri received a total of 11 battle stars for service in World War II, Korea, and the Persian Gulf, and was finally decommissioned on 31 March 1992, but remained on the Naval Vessel Register until her name was struck in January 1995. In 1998, she was donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association and became a museum ship at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Wikipedia.

Fredrik D. Bodin

This couldn’t have ended well.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

On 128 West Glo-town. Let’s do some basic math…10 foot hoop plus truck bed 3 feet…low bridge 12 feet 9 inches Ya think it’s gonna be a tight fit?

Uhmmm Do I Need To Get Snoop Maddie Mad Checked Out?

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Define Crazy-

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What Up Mad Pie?

For those of you interested in Public Skating times at O’Maley you can click on the Calendar Below to find an updated calendar and more info- http://www.gloucesterschools.com/talbot-rink

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Chickity Check It!- The Poetry of Peter Albert Todd

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Peter writes on his website-

enjoy a taste of gloucester…

Peter A. Todd, often called the "unofficial poet laureate" of Gloucester, has written over 800 poems in his life.  Most of these deal with his musing on the things he loves the most in life: his family, his faith, and his beloved city.  Beloved by his community, Pete has shared his talent through his articles in the Gloucester Daily Times and through public poetry readings at various important community events.  In addition to his poems of Gloucester there are poems of life, loss, friendship, faith, and family.  Pete also treats us to some wonderful reminiscences about the way Gloucester used to be – the people, the places, and daily life.  So come join us on a tour of our fair city and get to know one of her most beloved favorite sons – Pete Todd.

here’s the link- http://thepoetryofpeteralberttodd.weebly.com/

Presenting Ed

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

EJ and Paul really came through with the slides for my presentation.  I owe them a huge debt of gratitude for helping make Ed’s night special.

Some Photos From Ed’s Coronation As President of The Cape Ann Chamber Of Commerce Board of Directors

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

You know normally I’d start out a photo montage mostly about Ed with a photo of Ed but The Photo of The Night Was of None Other Than New Chamber CEO Robert Heidt Getting His Groove On-

PRICELESS!

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Robert’s just going for it right here!   Feelin’ It!  The Music Last Night From Henri Smith to the Runaround Was Easily The Best Music Ever Played At Any Chamber Event I’ve attended!  Killed It!

Presenting Ed-

aaaand then there’s all the rest of the pictures Felicia took…

Sorry we didn’t have more photos from the event, we didn’t bring out the good camera and we were having too much fun dancin!

Community Stuff 1/27/13

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Bex submits-

The North Shore Tour de Cure has their Kick Off Event on Tuesday, February 5 at Timothy’s Village Green.

Sign up for this one-day ride to find a cure for diabetes.

TourdeCure_KickOff

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Mark Grenier Gives His Farewell Speech

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Under Mark’s tenure as President of The Board of Directors The Financial Health Of The Chamber went from a negative to a solid positive.

Muffy White’s Speedo Cops Are On The Case While The DodgeFathers Scarf Down Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

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Muffy White from the www.muffywhite.com sponsored Bikini Speedo “Speedo Cops” Keeping Camp Spindrift Safe for the 2013 GMG/Farm Bar and Grille Bikini Speedo Dodgeball Tournament at Camp Spindrift March 16th.

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Brett Willis submits-

Looks like we’ve finally tracked down those Dodgefather Twins. Apparently they have been hiding in the port-o-potties at Camp Spindrift right under our noses. Nobody panic, The Speedo Cops should have no problem corralling those hooligans and taking home the trophy.

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Mamie’s Kitchen DodgeFathers Do not Look Intimidated-

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Hooligans.

As a side note I ran into the DodgeFathers at Mamie’s Kitchen yesterday where they were secretly plotting to bribe the Official Dodgeball Players Union (The DPU) while scarfing down $5 Chicken Salad Sandwiches and Potato Salad.

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CAMP SPINDRIFT IS AVAILABLE FOR RENTALS

Host a birthday, anniversary, reunion or business outing and enjoy the beautiful grounds of our camp. For more information, contact Rick Doucette: doucetter@northshoreymca.org.

Sightseeing Gloucester MA From Your Boat

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Barbara Day submits-

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Photo caption: America’s Oldest Seaport: Gloucester, MA (courtesy of InAweofGod’sCreation)

With all the history of Gloucester, Massachusetts, there is an endless amount of sightseeing opportunities for visitors to enjoy. It’s a popular destination that you can get to and enjoy by land or water.

The Annisquam River connects Gloucester Harbor with Ipswich Bay where you can dock your boat along the southern end of the river at Cape Ann Marina (http://www.capeannmarina.com/) or another Gloucester marina (http://www.gloucesterma.com/Boating.cfm?c=71).

Once you’ve arrived, it’s time to enjoy one of America’s oldest seaports and summer travel destinations! Let’s begin our tour…

A glimpse of Gloucester history

●    The area is known as America’s oldest seaport, discovered in 1606 by Samuel de Champlain.
●    At the time, he named the harbor Le Beau Port, meaning beautiful port.
●    The name changed many times before Prince Charles christened it Cape Anne, after his mother. (Now spelled Cape Ann.)
●    In 1623, men from Dorchester England were sent to establish a fishing and trade plantation along the port, the first of any kind in America.
●    They settled the area by setting up fish stages in an area now known as Stage Fort Park.

What to do in Gloucester?

There’s no shortage of activities awaiting you in Gloucester! Ready for some fun on and off the water?

1) Whale watching, fishing & water fun

Whale watching is a popular attraction, 15 miles off the coast of Gloucester. You can also take part in…

●    Fishing charters
●    Kayak tours
●    River cruises

2) Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center

The Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center (http://gloucestermaritimecenter.org/) preserves Gloucester’s maritime industrial history. It’s located on the harbor and contains the oldest operating marine railway in the United States. The rail was built in 1849 by Burnham Brothers, Parker, Joseph, and Elias.

A 19th century mill building stands on the Center’s property and holds equipment used to power the railway and a workshop where wooden boats are built. The Center also includes three wharves where you can see fishing vessels from different time periods get a sense for how fishing technology has evolved.

3) Enjoy the water from shore
Find fun in unexpected places in Gloucester, MA!

There are plenty of attractions that allow you to soak in the picturesque waterways from land (or even on the docks!).

●    Beaches
●    Restaurants
●    Museums
●    Parks
●    Art exhibits, including the Rocky Neck Art Colony (http://www.rockyneckartcolony.org/), one of the world’s oldest and continuously working art colonies. The Colony has attracted artists and art lovers to the waterfront for over 150 years.
●    Half a dozen lighthouses, dating back to the 1780s

Uncover more info about the fun and excitement that’s ready to be had on the official Gloucester visitor’s website (http://www.gloucesterma.com/).

4) Gloucester supplies & services

There are several places to get gas and other boating supplies around Gloucester. Here are some of these places for your convenience:

●    Brown’s Yacht Yard, Inc (http://www.brownsyy.com/) – Marinas & Boat Repair – 978-281-3200
●    Cape Ann’s Marina Resort (http://www.capeannmarina.com/) – Marinas & Boat Repair – 978-283-2116
●    Cruiseport Gloucester Marine Terminal (http://cruiseportgloucester.com/MarineTerminal/) – Port/Launch Services – 978-282-9700
●    East Gloucester Marine – Marinas & Boat Repair – 978-281-0982
●    Gloucester Marine Railways (http://www.gloucestermarinerailways.com/) – Boat Repairs and Supplies, Port Services – 978-283-2775
●    Rose Marine (http://www.rosesmarine.com/) – Marinas & Boat Repair, Boat Supplies, Port Services – 978-283-3334
●    US Coast Guard Station, Gloucester (http://www.uscg.mil/) – Port Services, Emergencies – 978-283-0705

What’s your favorite Gloucester spot, on water or land?

This article barely scratches the surface of this amazing and unique American treasure. If you live in or have visited Gloucester, please leave a comment with your top list of sights or events or activities!

Chickity Check it!- New Art Organization in Gloucester

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Kat Masella submits-

Dear Joey C.

I hope this note finds you well.

Gayle White suggested i contact you  and tell you about our new Art organization in Gloucester.   I hope you have a look and "like’  the new website and facebook page – the whole idea is to get artists together in relaxed  community spirit of life-long relationship building.

Northeast Art Workshop Retreats Fine Art

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